In today’s workplace, no matter the industry, it’s rare for a person to remain in the same field for his or her entire career. In fact, many will have success in two or more career branches – bringing with them a plethora of diverse experiences and achievements that benefit each position they’re in. This is the case with Harriet Bernick, a successful Valley-based attorney recently hired as the CEO of Biltmore Loan and Jewelry.
During her law career, Bernick spent more than 20 years practicing law, with a heavy emphasis on understanding regulatory practices and statutes. She worked at the State Bar of Arizona in the lawyer regulation division; spent time as an assistant U.S. attorney; was a legal advisor for public affairs for the U.S. attorney for the district of Arizona; and served asa federal prosecutor specializing in violent crimes and sexual abuse. Whilemany may not see how this experience translates to the business world, in the case of Biltmore Loan – an upscale collateral lender – Bernick’s expertise in regulations and statutes make it a perfect fit.
“Biltmore Loan is in a highly regulated industry,” Bernick explains. “It’s a business run on statutes; with my law background, I’m uniquely qualified to make appropriate decisions on virtually everything. Before, they might have had to consult a lawyer about certain things, and now, because of my legal training, I feel equipped to make some of the harder decisions. Until now, I’d sometime forget how great that legal training is.” Biltmore Loan and Jewelry is the go-to destination for “people who want to sell jewelry, sell diamonds, or obtain loans on valuables,” according to the company’s website, biltmoreloanandjewelry. com. And while Bernick’s law background helps her in her new position, so does her other area of expertise, which includes previous experience owning her own jewelry business.
Bernick explains that she and her twin sister spent their childhood looking for and purchasing jewelry with their mom. This experience turned into a jewelry business she started with her sister, along with extensive classes and research of jewelry, gems, pearls and the like. While she no longer owns her own jewelry business, the knowledge and enjoyment of the industry stuck with her.
So how did she go from an attorney to CEO? It’s all about community connections, she explains. “I would see the owners of the business around town and at events; we are a part of the same professional and social circles,” Bernick says. “They said that if I was ever ready to leave law practice, let them know. I always really wanted to work in a business and, even though we knew each other, it was an extensive interview.” “We are extremely pleased to have Harriet join our team,” says David Goldstein, president of Biltmore Loan. “We are delighted with her addition to Biltmore Loan due to her two decades of experience as an attorney, particularly her regulatory experience at the State Bar, her wealth of knowledge about jewelry and other high-end goods, her drive to excel, as well as her commitment and compassion to help others.”
In her free time, Bernick, a wife and mother of two teen boys, remain active in the local Jewish community. She has been a member of the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center board; spent two years working with the Jewish Community Association Women’s Philanthropy; and has been a member of the Jewish Community Foundation Education Council.
“My Jewish faith has given me a moral compass and guiding principles to live by, like how to treat people with dignity and always be respectful, kind and honest,” she says when asked how her faith is incorporated into her professional life. While Bernick emphasizes that a major part of her job is to
make sure the business “remains compliant in the highly regulated industry,” she also hopes to see Biltmore Loan and Jewelry grow and open new locations in the near future.
And, as she gains her footing in her new position, she adds that she plans on becoming even more involved in local Jewish
causes as well. To learn more about Biltmore Loan, visit biltmoreloanandjewelry. com.
Michelle Talsma Everson is freelance writer and editor who loves to tell the stories of the interesting people who call the Valley home. She can
be reached at michelle.t.everson@gmail.com.
BILTMORE LOAN : 7025 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 105 | Scottsdale | biltmoreloanandjewelry.com | 480-845-0929
